President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will lift sanctions on Syria, marking a major shift in U.S. foreign policy and opening the door to renewed diplomatic and economic engagement with Damascus. The decision was announced during Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia after discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, both of whom urged Washington to ease restrictions on Syria.

Speaking at an investment forum in Riyadh, Trump said he would order “the cessation of sanctions against Syria” to give the country “a chance at greatness”, adding that the measures had served their purpose. The announcement came ahead of a meeting between Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former Islamist commander who took power after Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow.

A White House official confirmed that Trump briefly met Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, marking a symbolic encounter between the U.S. president and a former Islamist leader previously linked to al Qaeda. Sharaa severed ties with Islamist networks in 2016, and the U.S. removed a $10 million bounty on him in December.

The lifting of sanctions is expected to improve Syria’s economic outlook after years of isolation from the global financial system. U.S. restrictions had limited banking access, trade, and foreign investment while complicating humanitarian operations.

The decision also highlights tensions with Israel, whose officials continue to distrust Sharaa’s government. Trump said the U.S. would restore normal relations with Syria, while Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani described the move as a turning point.